How is Coxiella burnetii transmitted?

People get infected by breathing in dust that has been contaminated by infected animal feces, urine, milk, and birth products that contain Coxiella burnetii.

Is Coxiella burnetii gram negative?

A small gram-negative bacterium, Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii), is responsible for a zoonosis called Q fever. C. burnetii is an intracellular bacterium that can survive inside microbicidal cells like monocytes and macrophages by hijacking several functions of the immune system.

What is opportunistic infection?

Listen to pronunciation. (AH-per-too-NIS-tik in-FEK-shun) An infection caused by an organism that does not normally cause disease. Opportunistic infections occur in people with weakened immune systems.

How is Coxiella burnetii diagnosed?

The standard test for diagnosing acute C. burnetii infection is indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) testing on paired acute and convalescent sera. A fourfold increase in phase II immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration is considered diagnostic for Q fever.

What does Coxiella burnetii do?

Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever, which is a zoonotic disease. Q fever can present as a febrile illness, pneumonia, or hepatitis. If it is not appropriately treated, it can lead to complications such as osteomyelitis, endocarditis, and vascular infections.

What kills Coxiella burnetii?

Pasteurization conditions are designed to effectively destroy the organisms Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Coxiella burnetii’.

What are the most common opportunistic infections?

What are Some of the Most Common Opportunistic Infections?

  • Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection—a viral infection that can cause sores on the lips and mouth.
  • Salmonella infection—a bacterial infection that affects the intestines.

How do you diagnose Coxiella burnetii?

Evaluation of infected tissue, blood, or serum using PCR has been shown to be an effective tool for diagnosing C burnetii infection. Mayo Clinic Laboratories has developed a real-time PCR test that permits rapid identification of C burnetii.

How do you test for Coxiella?